Pakistan's Petroleum Products Imports Stand At 75 %: Senate Told

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Sep, 2016 ) : State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Jam Kamal on Friday informed the Senate that 75 per cent petroleum products were imported while only 25 per cent requirement were fulfilled by domestic resources.

Replying to various supplementary questions during Question Hour, the minister said around 75 per cent of diesel imports were arranged by Pakistan State Oil (PSO) under a long term contract with, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC).

He said the KPC has shown their intention for supplying 0.05 per cent sulphur i.e EURO-II standard Diesel Oil W.e.f 1st January, 2017. The minister said the government has decided to switch over from the existing 87 RON PMG (petrol) to 92 and 95 RON PMG from PSO's next import/ tender cycle, which was expected from November, 2016.

Current automobiles were designed to operate at 92 or higher RON PMG, which helps in providing reduced environmental impact due to lower emissions as a result of better engine hygiene, while simultaneously providing an enhanced motor vehicle experience and increased mileage to the customer, he said.

Jam Kamal said two local refineries including Pak-Arab Refinery Limited and Attock Refinery Limited were producing EURO-II compliant diesel oil, while other refineries have been given a deadline of June, 2017 for producing EURO-II diesel oil.

Lower sulphur content diesel was an environment friendly fuel and provides fuel efficiency as well as better engine hygiene, he said. To a question, he said General Sales Tax (GST) ratio was different on CNG and RLNG.

He said RLNG was being imported. To another question, the minister said as a result of exploration carried out by Resource Development Corporation/Saindak Metals Limited (SML) in Saindak area (District Chagai, Balochistan), the quantity of mineral deposit/copper ore was estimated at 412 million tons.

Accounting for the ore extracted during 13 years of Saindak Copper-Gold Project operation, the available copper ore deposit was estimated as 353 million tons, he said. To yet another question, Jam Kamal said it was reported by M/s SNGPL that the Project Director, Bannu Development Authority had deposited an amount of Rs.

8.70 million and internal distribution network has been laid on TOR basis. He said 100 per cent internal distribution network has been laid. An offer letter was issued ofor depositing of cost of 8' dia.

X 4 Kms along-with two numbers of TBSs which was not deposited and has expired. He said the said offer letter could not be revalidated currently due to imposition of moratorium on provision of gas connection to new housing schemes.

However, he said the Prime Minister has recently lifted moratorium for some areas including Khyber-Pakhtunkhaw. Once the notification issued, the cost mechanism for the project would be re-evaluated, he added.

Meanwhile to a question of Sirajul Haq, the ministry in a written reply apprised the House that the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) shall be utilized by the Federal Government for or in connection with infrastructure development of Iran Pakistan Pipeline Project, Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India (TAPI) Pipeline projects, LNG or other ancillary projects.

The GIDC was being collected in accordance with GIDC Act.